New Zealand's leading independent conservation organisation has slammed the Government's "unbelievable" decision to delay winter grazing rules. 

Minister for the Environment David Parker and the Minister for Agriculture Damien O’Connor announced on Tuesday they are delaying the introduction of rules to protect freshwater from the effects of intensive winter grazing. 

"Everyone in New Zealand wants clean rivers again," says Forest & Bird freshwater advocate Tom Kay. 

"Delaying freshwater reforms which were already agreed on just means our rivers will be polluted for yet another year. 

"It’s unbelievable that Ministers Parker and O’Connor have agreed to delay ending the worst of intensive winter grazing in Southland, which everyone agrees causes pollution, destroys habitats for native fish and birds, and can be cruel to farm animals." 

Kay says it's clear the government has "caved to pressure" from intensive farmers instead of standing firm on the promises they made to New Zealanders.

"We know Southland's streams and rivers are already overloaded with pollution, so waiting another year is a huge waste of time."

The Government intends to work with farms to implement farm plans, before introducing the regulations in May 2022. 

"Relying on draft farm plans, as the industry has agreed to, makes it incredibly difficult to know what's going on and what's impacting the health of our rivers. 

"It doesn't set an environmental minimum standard for freshwater.” 

"This delay means we can continue to expect to see cows stuck in massive swathes of mud, and effluent and sediment continuing to pollute Southland’s rivers this winter. 

"Ministers Parker and O'Connor have kicked the can down the road for another year, and the rules we need to protect our rivers from pollution are stuck in the mud. It's beyond disappointing."